Pfizer in talks to merge off-patent drugs business with Mylan: source

FILE PHOTO: The logo of U.S. pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer Inc. is seen at a branch in Zurich, Switzerland October 2, 2018. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

(Reuters) - Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) is in talks to merge its off-patent drugs business with Mylan NV (MYL.O) in a stock deal, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Mylan shareholders would receive a little more than 40% of the newly formed entity, with Pfizer shareholders receiving the remainder, the person said, adding that Pfizer would also get about $12 billion in proceeds from a new sale of debt.

Separation of Pfizer’s off-patent business would be a tax-free spin-off, the person added.

Last year, Pfizer said it was planning to reorganize into three units, separating its consumer healthcare business.

The restructuring will allow the company to evaluate its businesses better and could result in selling or spinning off its off-patent drugs, Wall Street analysts earlier said.

The Wall Street Journal first reported about the talks between the companies on Saturday.

Pfizer and Mylan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Reporting by Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru and Gregory Roumeliotis in New York; Editing by Mark Potter and Paul Simao